Press Releases

Today, Congressmen Mike Thompson (D-CA) and George Radanovich (R-CA), co-chairs of the Congressional Wine Caucus, joined the Wine Institute, the National Grape and Wine Initiative, WineAmerica and the Winegrape Growers of America to release an unprecedented study on the impact of wine, grapes and grape products on the American economy.

Today, the House overwhelming passed a bill (HR 4) repealing the current prohibition on negotiating the prices of Medicare prescription drugs. The bill, co-sponsored by Rep. Mike Thompson (D-CA), will require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct cost-saving negotiations with pharmaceutical companies.

Today, Rep. Mike Thompson (D-CA) and 252 Democratic and Republican Representatives voted to pass the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act (HR 3). The bill, which expands federal research on devastating diseases like Alzheimer's, diabetes and various cancers, is the third piece of legislation in the Democratic Majority's “100 Hours” agenda. Thompson was an original co-sponsor of the bill.

On the first day of the 110th Congress, North Coast Congressman Mike Thompson (D-CA) introduced legislation to provide federal disaster relief to California and Oregon's salmon fishing industry. The bill authorizes the appropriation of $60.4 million for the fishermen, tribes and businesses that were impacted by the commercial fishery failure of 2006.

Today, Congressmen Mike Thompson (D-CA) and Peter DeFazio (D-OR) introduced legislation that would enable Del Norte County to receive the federal funds needed to improve the Del Norte County Airport without raising matching funds.

Today, Rep. Mike Thompson (D-Napa Valley) criticized the Bush Administration for downplaying a new report from the Treasury Department showing that the federal budget deficit is almost $200 billion more than what the president told us in October.

Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill setting a six-month deadline for a finalized comprehensive recovery plan for salmon on the Klamath River. The provision was included in the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act at the request of North Coast Congressman Mike Thompson and California Senator Barbara Boxer.